Yosemite was one of many first nationwide parks established in the USA, and in my view it’s one of the lovely locations on the earth.
For those who solely have someday in Yosemite Nationwide Park, the easiest way to spend it’s within the valley, the place you possibly can benefit from the spectacular waterfalls, viewpoints, and hikes. Most of those are positioned fairly shut to one another.
A facet journey to the Mariposa Grove can be worthwhile to see the traditional Sequoia bushes. A few of these giants are greater than 3,000 years outdated!
You received’t see the entire park in a day, as a result of it covers nearly 1,200 sq. miles, however you’ll have sufficient time to see a number of the principle highlights.
We spent 2 weeks at Yosemite, and on this information, I’ll present you the entire high sights to knock out on a brief go to to the park!
About This Itinerary
Right here’s a fast abstract of all of the locations on this itinerary:
- Swinging Bridge Viewpoint
- Mist Path
- Sentinel / Prepare dinner’s Meadow Loop Path
- Decrease Yosemite Fall
- Cathedral Rocks Viewpoint
- El Capitan Meadow
- Yosemite Valley View
- Tunnel View
- Washburn Level
- Glacier Level
- Massive Timber Loop Path
I’ll cowl every of those locations intimately, after which share a map and timeline you possibly can comply with on your itinerary.

Yosemite Falls reflection throughout the springtime flood
Finest Issues To See & Do
• Swinging Bridge Viewpoint
In your first cease in Yosemite, make a fast go to to the Swinging Bridge picnic space. This spot has among the finest views of Yosemite Falls within the park.
Higher but, once we visited in June, we had been fortunate to see an incredible reflection within the water due to the historic flooding. The Merced River had changed into a lake!
In most months you received’t see that, however it’s nonetheless value a fast cease right here to get your first good view of Yosemite Falls. That is the park’s largest waterfall, and it’s one of many world’s tallest, at 2,425 toes (739 meters).

One other image from the identical spot at noon
• Mist Path
Subsequent, drive to the parking zone for the Mist Path. This is without doubt one of the busiest hikes in Yosemite, so that you’ll need to get there early to beat the crowds and safe a parking spot.
You possibly can park at Curry Village or the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking. The latter is nearer and saves you 10 minutes of strolling, however the former has a restaurant if you wish to seize one thing to eat earlier than or after the hike.
The Mist Path is a superb hike with two massive waterfalls: Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. For those who’re a match hiker, it’s properly value going a minimum of to the highest of Vernal Fall. In any other case, you possibly can get pleasure from a pleasant rainbow beneath the waterfall.

Vernal Fall rainbow

Above Vernal Fall. There’s a security fence so you possibly can take photos like this with out worrying.
The Mist Path is a reasonable hike with loads of elevation acquire, even for those who cease earlier than Nevada Fall. For those who’re not up for that, you possibly can substitute this hike for Mirror Lake, which is all flat and simple.
Once you attain the highest of Vernal Fall, for those who proceed for a brief distance you’ll get a pleasant peek at Nevada Fall and the Liberty Cap with out including a lot to the hike.
Or, you possibly can hike as much as Clark Level for a fair increased view of Vernal Fall, after which circle again all the way down to the beginning through the John Muir Path. Both approach, you’ll get a pleasant number of surroundings in 2 or 3 hours of complete mountaineering.
Bear in mind to deliver water, snacks, and durable mountaineering footwear. A poncho can be useful so that you don’t get too moist on the waterfall. That’s how the Mist Path acquired its title!

The Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall

Vernal Fall as seen from above close to Clark Level. See the tiny folks?
• Sentinel / Prepare dinner’s Meadow Loop Path
After you end the Mist Path, it’s time to see extra of the valley. Drive to the Yosemite Falls Vantage Level and discover parking. Right here’s a map.
From right here, you possibly can stroll the Prepare dinner’s Meadow loop path, which is flat, straightforward, and largely paved or boardwalked, making it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Anybody can and may do that path, as a result of it’s so relaxed and it has a number of the finest views of Yosemite Falls and the valley!
For those who stroll the entire path, it takes as much as 1 hour, however you’ll get to see some nice surroundings even for those who flip again after quarter-hour. For those who’re fortunate, you would possibly see deer or different animals alongside the way in which, like we did.
• Decrease Yosemite Fall
It’s time to go see one other waterfall up shut! Drive to the Lower Yosemite Fall trailhead, park, and hike to the waterfall.
As you’ll discover, Yosemite Falls is definitely a three-part waterfall, with higher, center, and decrease falls. This hike offers you a fantastic view of the underside waterfall.
It’s one other brief, flat, straightforward, and accessible hike, and it takes about half-hour roundtrip. Anybody can do it.
Alongside the way in which, you’ll get peeks of the Higher Yosemite Fall by means of the bushes, and the hike ends on the Decrease Fall, which you’ll be able to see up shut.

Yosemite Falls peeking by means of the bushes

Decrease Yosemite Fall
• Yosemite Valley Lodge
If you’ll want to seize lunch at this level within the itinerary, you are able to do that on the close by Yosemite Lodge Food Court, which is only a 2 minute drive or a 5 minute stroll from the place you parked for the decrease falls.
When you’re at it, there’s additionally a present store and Starbucks, so you possibly can decide up a shirt, mug, magnet, or different souvenirs from the park.
For those who packed a picnic lunch for the day, there are many spots within the valley the place you possibly can get pleasure from your meal with a view. The following one you’ll go driving west is the El Capitan picnic space.
• Cathedral Rocks Viewpoint
That is an unmarked and unnamed viewpoint, however I’ve to say it as a result of it’s value stopping for photos.
As you proceed driving west on the valley loop highway, after you go the El Capitan picnic space, and earlier than you attain a curve within the river referred to as the Satan’s Elbow, there’s a pull-off spot with epic views of the Cathedral Rocks.
I’ve marked the coordinates on the map here. There’s a small parking house with room for a number of automobiles.

Cathedral Rocks viewpoint

Unimaginable cliffs
• El Capitan Meadow
The El Capitan meadow is correct by the highway, and it’s one in all my favourite spots in the entire park.
It has lovely views of the Cathedral Rocks throughout the meadow, and you may look straight up at El Capitan, the sheer granite monolith that was climbed by Alex Honnold with none tools within the Free Solo documentary.
Folks like to return right here with garden chairs to allow them to sit and watch the climbers going up the facet of El Capitan. It’s a fantastic place to go to within the afternoon.

El Capitan Meadow

El Capitan
• Yosemite Valley View
That is one other viewpoint that’s proper by the highway, and it’s one of many final locations you’ll cease within the valley.
It has wonderful views of the Merced River, El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks, and Bridalveil Fall. We even noticed a giant rainbow at Bridalveil within the afternoon.

Yosemite Valley View

Bridalveil Fall rainbow
• Tunnel View
The Tunnel View is without doubt one of the most iconic views of Yosemite as a result of you possibly can look straight by means of the valley, all the way in which to Half Dome.
So why put it aside till later within the day? Easy: early within the morning, it’s fully backlit and onerous to take photographs. Afternoon is the right time to see it.
Sure, there shall be crowds, however parking is often straightforward to seek out as a result of there’s a number of turnover. Folks snap their photos and go away fairly rapidly.

Tunnel View
• Washburn Level
Now that you just’ve seen the Yosemite valley from beneath, it’s time to see it from above!
Drive out of the valley and as much as Glacier Level, the perfect overlook of the park. The drive from Tunnel View to Glacier Level will take about 45 minutes.
Alongside the way in which, you’ll go Washburn Level, which is value a cease too. It has related however barely completely different views of the park, and you may see the entire Mist Path from above, together with Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Views of Yosemite on the way in which to Glacier Level
• Glacier Level
Up subsequent is Glacier Level, the place you possibly can see extra of the well-known Yosemite icons from above!
This overlook has nice views of Yosemite Falls and the sheer face of Half Dome, which nearly appears shut sufficient to succeed in out and contact. You received’t have the ability to see the hikers scaling the cables on Half Dome since that’s all on the other facet of the height.
If you wish to do extra exploring at Glacier Level, there are some nice mountaineering trails right here, akin to Taft Level or the Panorama Path.

Half Dome as seen from Glacier Level
• Massive Timber Loop Path
The final cease on this itinerary for Yosemite is the Mariposa Grove of Large Sequoias, the place you possibly can see a number of the world’s oldest and largest bushes.
From Glacier Level, it’s a 1 hour drive to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, the place you possibly can hop on one of many free shuttle buses that runs each quarter-hour. The shuttle trip to the sequoia grove solely takes 5 or 10 minutes.
Right here, you’ll need to hike a minimum of a part of the Massive Timber Loop Path, which is spectacular. It’s additionally comparatively flat and simple.

Bachelor And Three Graces

Roots of the Fallen Large
For those who’re brief on time, it’s best to hike a minimum of so far as the Grizzly Large and the Tunnel Tree, which takes about 1 hour roundtrip. Most individuals flip round at this level.
These are two of probably the most notable and spectacular bushes within the park. The Grizzly Large is the oldest sequoia within the grove, and one of many oldest bushes on the earth. It’s at present estimated to be greater than 3,000 years outdated!
The Tunnel Tree is a brief distance previous the Grizzly Large, and it’s a enjoyable photograph op because the base is hole. That was executed in 1895 so horse drawn stagecoaches might go by means of the tree.
That is the tip of your itinerary for someday in Yosemite Nationwide Park. You’ve now seen lots of the finest highlights of the park!

The Grizzly Large is a big tree

Grizzly Large

Tunnel Tree
Map Of Issues To See & Do
Right here’s a map of all of the sights and actions listed on this Yosemite itinerary. You possibly can click on on the icons for instructions and different info.
Timeline For Your Go to
Right here’s a recommended timeline you possibly can comply with on your itinerary in Yosemite.
The park is extraordinarily in style and often begins to replenish by 8 AM, so I’d extremely suggest beginning early within the morning for those who can.
This can let you safe parking and beat the worst of the crowds, and the valley can be additional good at daybreak.
- 6:00 AM – Go away Oakhurst or Mariposa and drive to Yosemite Nationwide Park (for those who’re staying within the valley, you can begin later).
- 8:00 AM – Arrive in Yosemite valley and begin mountaineering the Mist Path.
- 9:30 AM – Attain the highest of Vernal Fall on the Mist Path, and begin mountaineering again to the parking.
- 10:30 AM – End the Mist Path and arrive again on the parking zone. Drive to the Yosemite Falls Vantage Point and discover parking.
- 11:00 AM – Stroll the Sentinel / Prepare dinner’s Meadow loop path.
- 11:30 AM – Drive to the Lower Yosemite Fall trailhead, park, and hike to the waterfall.
- 12:00 PM – Seize lunch on the close by Yosemite Lodge Food Court.

Mirror Lake lives as much as its title
- 12:30 PM – Proceed driving the loop highway, stopping on the viewpoints for the Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan Meadow, and Yosemite Valley View, in that order, after which cease on the Tunnel View on the way in which out of the valley.
- 1:30 PM – Exit the valley and begin driving to Glacier Level. Alongside the way in which, cease at Washburn Level for the views.
- 2:30 PM – Arrive at Glacier Level and go searching on the viewpoint.
- 3:00 PM – Begin driving to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza.
- 4:00 PM – Arrive on the Mariposa Grove and seize a shuttle to the grove.
- 4:15 PM – Hike the loop path so far as the Grizzly Large and the Tunnel Tree, then again to the shuttle space.
- 5:15 PM – Seize a shuttle again to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza.
- 5:30 PM – Arrive again on the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza. Go away the park and begin driving again to Oakhurst or Mariposa.
- 6:00 / 6:30 PM – Arrive again at your lodging in Oakhurst or Mariposa in time to seize supper.
Different Suggestions For Visiting Yosemite
- Reservation: Bear in mind to verify the NPS page to see if reservations shall be required throughout your go to.
- Entrance Payment: A park go is at all times required at Yosemite. You will discover extra information on the NPS page.
- Navigation: The highway contained in the valley is a loop highway, and it’s not at all times straightforward to backtrack for those who miss one thing. It’s a good suggestion to plan your route forward of time so you possibly can see every part you need.
- Parking: Parking could be a problem, particularly throughout peak season. The valley has a free shuttle system, however we discovered it to be fairly gradual and inefficient. For those who begin early, you possibly can drive your automotive in all places on this itinerary and the shuttle received’t be wanted.
- Clothes: Costume in layers. Even summer season mornings may be chilly in Yosemite, however the climate warms up throughout the day.
- When To Go to: In my view, the best possible time to go to Yosemite is within the spring months of Might and June. The waterfalls are massive due to the continuing snowmelt, the climate remains to be cool, and the crowds aren’t at their peak but. We went in June and it was good. I wouldn’t change something.
- The place To Keep: The most effective inns are within the valley, at The Ahwahnee or Yosemite Valley Lodge. If these are out of your price range then you possibly can attempt to safe camping in the valley, or there are hotels in Oakhurst and Mariposa, outdoors the park. We stayed in Oakhurst.

A view of Half Dome from Yosemite Valley
How To Spend Extra Than One Day In Yosemite Nationwide Park
When you’ve got greater than someday in Yosemite, there are many different nice issues to do, particularly for those who’re a hiker.
For the second day, do the strenuous hike to Higher Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Level. Even for those who don’t go all the way in which to the highest, it’s nonetheless a fantastic expertise to see the waterfall up shut.
Higher but, attempt to get permits for the Half Dome hike, which is probably the most thrilling hike within the park! It has a scary cable part on the finish that leads you to panoramic views of your complete Yosemite valley.
For the third day, go to any locations within the valley you missed on the primary day, akin to Bridalveil Fall and Mirror Lake. Each of those are brief and simple hikes. Then do the scenic drive on Tioga Highway to see Olmsted Level, Tenaya Lake, and the Tuolomne Meadows.

Higher Yosemite Falls is an superior hike, particularly within the springtime when it seems to be like this!
Extra Journey Guides For Yosemite Nationwide Park
Thanks for studying! I hope you loved this itinerary for how one can spend someday in Yosemite Nationwide Park.
I’m engaged on extra journey guides for the U.S. national parks, so don’t neglect to verify again later.